Volkswagen Amarok Aventura V6 TDI 2017 ute review
Volkswagen is raising the bar for high specification utes in the New Zealand market.
Volkswagen is raising the bar for high specification utes in the New Zealand market with the introduction of the flagship Amarok double cab, the 3-litre V6 turbodiesel Aventura 4Motion.
As more and more customers look to high-specification pick-ups as a double-duty business and family vehicle, manufacturers such as Volkswagen continue to equip them in the manner of a high-end passenger vehicle.
The top of the line Ford Ranger Wildtrak, Holden Colorado Z71, and Toyota Hilux SR5 Limited pickups will now compete with the $73,990 V6 Amarok Highline 4Motion while the newly-introduced luxury Aventura variant forges a path through new territory for the German brand.
Too subtle?
While the V6 Aventura lacks for absolutely nothing in the way of specification and creature comforts, and while it drives and handles like a Golf GTI that thinks it's a pickup, the one sole fly in the ointment would be its subtle appearance.
Save for gorgeous set of 20-inch Talca alloy wheels, the Aventura embroidery on the floor mats and the ergo comfort front seats there isn't lots of differentiation for the V6 from the four-cylinder Amarok models, unlike the highly differentiated Ranger Wildtrak with all of its bolt on bits which loudly screams "look at me, look at me."
After a week of living with the Aventura as a daily driver, I can see it being a more practical alternative to the likes of a Volkswagen Touareg SUV or any other major European SUV.
Inside, the facelifted 2017 Amarok is a different beast and is a step up from the previous vehicle, with an all-new dashboard incorporating the 7-inch colour touch screen for the navigation and infotainment system.
The Amarok Aventura arrives with the 14-way power-adjustable ergoComfort seats for the driver and front passenger, which are upholstered in Vienna leather and also offer a two-stage heating function. There's also a leather-covered multifunction steering wheel which is adjustable for height and reach, while the gear lever grip and the handbrake handle are also clad in cowhide.
Dual-zone climate air-conditioning is standard, as is park distance control with an integrated reversing camera, as well as bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights.
Equipment includes the towbar preparation, durable UV resistant tray liner, stainless steel sports bar, stainless steel side steps with integrated LED downlights, front, and rear mudflaps; colour coded bumpers and door handles and the chrome-plated rear bumper with the integrated step.
Volkswagen is equipping the V6 Aventura comprehensively, so there are only four additional cost options available to buyers. They include power-adjustable, heated, and folding exterior mirrors for $350, cargo area lighting function on the LED centre high mount stop lamp for $75, a mechanical differential lock on the rear axle for $1250, and eight lashing eyes in the rear tray is an additional $60.
Towing torque
Despite Volkswagen offering a 132kW version of its 2-litre turbo diesel engine, which continues in the 2017 model year line-up, many potential buyers who tow things were sceptical of its ability, but now they have no excuse.
The jewel in the Aventura’s crown is the Volkswagen Group 3-litre V6 turbodiesel engine which has been fettled for use in the Amarok with a fully variable oil pump, as well as separate cooling for the cylinder heads and crankcase, and even the variable geometry turbocharger has an electric actuator and is also water-cooled.
VW also repositioned the V6 unit within the Amarok engine bay for better weight distribution when driving at sharp angles off-road. The 2967cc V6 engine offers 165kW (180kW over boost) and 550 Newton metres of torque from 1400rpm, which is transferred to 4Motion all-wheel-drive system through an 8-speed automatic transmission, which also offers a sport mode and flappy paddles!
The Aventura will sprint from standstill to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds yet will return average fuel consumption of 7.8L/100km. To improve on and off-road driving performance Volkswagen made 148 changes made to the chassis of the Amarok V6 models for greater rigidity and better handling, and they also receive disc brakes on all four wheels as well, for greater stopping power.
Daily driver
Living with the Aventura as a daily driver isn’t a hardship - in fact, it’s a pleasure, thanks to the combination of those very comfortable front seats, the lusty V6 turbodiesel engine and the very responsive 8-speed automatic transmission that always seems to have the right gear selected for the occasion.
No other ute has the benefit of permanent all-wheel-drive, and it is the 4Motion system that imbues the Amarok driver with confidence no matter the weather and road conditions.
It’s quiet and comfortable regardless of whether you are traveling at speed down a motorway or picking your way through busy urban streets.
Rear seat passengers will enjoy the 3-seat rear bench seat which is elevated higher than the front seats for increased visibility, and when not occupied the seat bases fold up in a one-third or two-thirds split allowing large items such as toolboxes or large bags to slide in behind the front seats. There’s also a small storage compartment behind the rear bench seat as the seat back folds down flat in one section.
The Amarok continues to be the class leader not only in the quality of its steering and handling but also ride comfort, and the Aventura is no exception despite those handsome 20-inch alloys.
Conclusion
The Amarok Aventura is resetting the current benchmark for top specification utes. Barring supply issues, it most certainly deserves to be on the shopping list of discerning buyers looking for a dual-purpose fleet and family vehicle.
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